Police: Deep river man dies after car hits fire truck in Essex

State police identified the victim as 80-year-old William Spitzschuh of Deep River.

Police said the fire truck had been stopped on the highway responding to an accident when it was hit by 1 2001 Toyota Corolla at around 7:10 p.m. Tuesday on state Route 9 southbound, about a mile north of Exit 3.

Troopers first reported that Spitzschuh suffered life-threatening injuries and a Life Star Helicopter responded to the scene. Police later said Spitzschuh died.

Fire crews said a firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

The highway was closed and reopened just after 11 p.m. and drivers were rerouted off Exit 4.